Good Writing
Qualities of Good Writing
Qualities of Good Writing
Below are five qualities we recognize in literature that informs and/or entertains us. These qualities fall under "good writing" not "correct writing". Correct writing refers to elements of form, such as good spelling, punctuation, and grammar/syntax. Good writing refers to the content... what you are writing about. Society may change, and peoples’ tastes with it, but such qualities are universal in all good writing, regardless of the time or culture in which it was written.
Below are five qualities we recognize in literature that informs and/or entertains us. These qualities fall under "good writing" not "correct writing". Correct writing refers to elements of form, such as good spelling, punctuation, and grammar/syntax. Good writing refers to the content... what you are writing about. Society may change, and peoples’ tastes with it, but such qualities are universal in all good writing, regardless of the time or culture in which it was written.
- Voice: The writing has the distinct imprint of its author. It is unique to that individual and stands out from an assortment of other texts.
- Honesty: This goes hand-in-hand with voice, as it is not afraid to reveal the author’s thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. Honesty is risky, for it involves opening oneself up to an audience, but without it the writing comes across as sterile and artificial.
- Sense of Humor: The writing may or may not succeed in making the audience laugh, but it is even more important that an attempt is made to entertain the audience and reveal that the author does not take himself too seriously.
- Informative: The writing must have something to say, some area of experience to share with the audience. This is the actual content of the writing.
- Inventive: The author tries to say something new or something old in a new way. Clichés are avoided, and the author embraces her unique imagination.